The Vietnam National Academy of Music has for the first time kicked off the Hanoi Open Guitar contest to look for the best talent from around the nation.

The competition, organized in partnership with the Arts Performing Center under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is open to Vietnamese citizens under 35 and is divided into three groups, with group A for those under 13, B for 13-16 year olds and C for 17-35.

All contestants will go through two rounds, with two optional songs required for the preliminary round and one compulsory and two to three optional songs for the final round. The judging panel will select the six top entrants from each group for the final round and participants will have a chance to exchange with top foreign guitarists during the contest.

Finalists will net first, second, third, fourth and two consolation awards totaling nearly VND100 million. The competition will take place from October 21-28 at the academy concert hall.

Participants need to directly submit their documents to the academy at 77 Hao Nam Street, Dong Da District in Hanoi before September 15. For further information, contact 04.38514969 or 04.38561842 or email cuocthiguitarhanoi@gmail.com.

SGT